The BBNJ Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction represents a major advancement in favor of the preservation and sustainable management of marine resources in these spaces, affirmed Zakia Driouich, Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, in charge of Maritime Fisheries, on Monday in Rabat.
Speaking at the opening of a regional workshop on the BBNJ Agreement, Ms. Driouich highlighted Morocco’s active role in consolidating a concerted African vision around the main issues of this agreement, particularly the creation of marine protected areas, equitable sharing of marine genetic resources, and the establishment of environmental impact assessment mechanisms.
She also emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to promote an inclusive and sustainable blue economy and to strengthen regional cooperation.
In this context, Ms. Driouich highlighted the Royal Initiative aimed at providing landlocked African states with strategic access to the Atlantic. “This vision, based on active solidarity and inclusive development, reflects the common ambition to overcome geographical constraints and strengthen regional cooperation, thus allowing these countries to fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the ocean economy,” she asserted.
The Secretary of State also recalled Morocco’s efforts during the negotiations on the BBNJ agreement to facilitate the consolidation of a concerted African vision around the main components of the discussed text, such as the creation of marine protected areas, impact studies of human activities on the marine environment, as well as access to genetic resources and the equitable sharing of their benefits.
For his part, the Deputy Head of the European Union (EU) delegation, Daniele Dotto, highlighted the significant contribution of African states to the development of the BBNJ agreement, while congratulating Seychelles for being the first African nation to ratify it.
He also announced that the EU is committed to supporting the sustainable use of biodiversity in the high seas through an “ocean” program with a budget of 40 million euros over a six-year period.
He continued: “We are currently working on the first phase of this program, with a particular focus on technical assistance aimed at supporting the national and regional efforts of developing countries in the field of conservation and sustainable use of the high seas, particularly regarding the ratification and implementation of the BBNJ agreement.”
This support will complement many national and regional programs that have recently been adopted in terms of ocean governance, blue economy, and the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, Mr. Dotto explained.
For her part, the UN Resident Coordinator in Morocco, Nathalie Fustier, indicated that the BBNJ agreement constitutes an additional tool to support collective efforts aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
“After two decades of development, the adoption of this agreement illustrates the centrality of multilateralism and international cooperation,” she added, noting that the entry into force of the agreement and its effective implementation require collective mobilization, where states, UN system organizations, and all stakeholders combine their efforts and act in concert.
“We are fortunate to have with us today representatives from nearly 30 African states as well as other stakeholders,” she expressed, specifying that this diverse participation reflects the intersectoral nature of this agreement, whose effective implementation will depend on the support and cooperation of a wide range of actors.
In turn, Charlotte Salpin, representative of the UN Office of Legal Affairs, praised Morocco’s efforts, which played a key role as coordinator of the African group for capacity building and the transfer of marine technologies.
“Thanks to the active and competent participation of African states, the agreement addresses a number of issues of crucial importance for Africa,” she stated, recalling that two of the fifteen ratifications received to date come from African states, and that 22 African states have signed the agreement.
Ms. Salpin also highlighted the relevance of this workshop, capable of providing officials and stakeholders in the region with the necessary information to effectively engage in the implementation of the provisions of the agreement.
Held in the presence of representatives from the UN, the EU, and several government officials, this workshop was organized by the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, with support from the EU.
Hosted by Morocco, it brought together more than 120 participants from African states bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, as well as from some landlocked African countries.
This initiative is part of international efforts to strengthen sustainable ocean governance, with the participation of representatives from international and regional organizations, as well as experts in marine biodiversity.
The workshop aims to enhance understanding of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement, signed by Morocco in September 2023, to identify the institutional and legal needs necessary for effective implementation, and to assist states in their preparation for adherence to and ratification of this legal instrument.
